mccarthy



F. MCCARTHY;

APPARArus mn ENvELoPmG MAILING MATTER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, ,1920. Reissued J une 13, 1922.

NVENTR ATTORNEY l Ehi w PIIIIIL F. MCCARTHY.

EEEEEEEEEEEEE 2.

`I n I Il* I IMIIIII 1|, II III.r U IIIII 2 I I I' I II E Q 2 I II i I IIII 13 s g www n IIl` f3, N uf"- I n n E); EMI' II IIJ: In d II IIIMIIII ,I I Nm u nIIm j I III I Im III1M l F. McCARTHY.

APPARATUS FOR ENVELOPINVG MAILING MATTER.-

APPLICATION FILELL MARz 23. T920.

Reis'su'ed June 13, 1922.

INIENTOH ATTORNEY F. MCCARTHY.

APPARATUS FOR ENVELOPING MAILING MATTER.

APPLICATION PILED MARj 23, 1920.

15,385. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A,mom/Er A jg TlIlIl Reissued June 13, 1922.

F. MCCARTHY.

APPARATUS FOR ENVELOPING MAILING MATTER.

APPLxcATloN flLEu MAR.23,1920.

Reissued June 13, 1922. l 5, 385.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

F. MCCARTHY.

APPARATUS FOR ENVELOPING MAILING MATTER. APPLICATION FILED MAR:23.1920.

Reissued J une 13, 1922. l 1 5 385 6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

A TTURNEY UNITED STATES' FLORENCE MCCARTHY, OF

PATENT oifricii.

APPARATUS FOR ENVELOPING MAILING MATTER.

Specification of Beissued Letters Patent: Iiigsued J 11.119 13, 19222.

Original No. 1,305,390, dated June 3, 1919, Serial No. 221,614, iled March 11, 1918. K Application for reissue tiled March 23, 1920. Serial No. 368,150.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FLORENCE MCCARTHY, a citizen of the United States, and a. resident of the borou h of Manhattan, in the city, county, and tate-of New York, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Enveloping Mailing Matter, of which the 'following is a specification.

l filled with a small outlay of labor and in f ashort period of time.

According to my invention there is provided a machine or apparatus wherein an 4envelope can be taken from a stack of envelopes, wherein the flap of the envelope thus removed can be automatically moved to open position and wherein the envelope can be positioned to receive the desired contents, wherein the contents required in that particular envelope can be removed from a stack and can beinserted in the envelope, and wherein the envelope and its contents can be subsequently moved to a position where the flap of the envelope will be moved to the desired closed position and the contents of the envelope will be pushed farther into the envelope if not sufficiently therein for the mailing of the envelope.

The invention relates to the features above referred to as well as to other features hereinafter fully described and clearly set forth in theappended claims.

As showing a specific embodiment of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this Specification and in which drawings,

Figure 1 is an end View of a machine for removing envelopes one at a time from the bottom of a stack of horizontally arranged envelopes and for feeding each envelope to a position for receiving its contents, and for removing a piece or batch of circular matter,

one piece or batch at a time, from the bottom of a stack of horizontally arranged circular matter and for feeding or inserting a piece or batch of circular matter into the envelope Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.'

In Fig. 2 there is shown a storage magazine for the envelopes, at the left of the machine, and a storage magazine for the circular matter, at the right of the machine. In this figure there is also shown in section means for feeding the envelopes transversely to the right and to a position for receiving the contents, and a means for feeding the circular matter to the left and'for causing the circular matter to be inserted in the envelope when the envelope is in position to receive the circular matter. Each of the feeding means just referred to has endless belts that serve to effect the feeding function. There is also shown in section means that supports the envelope when in the position for receiving the contents and also means for transferring the envelope in a longitudinal direction for the purpose of having its flap tucked in. i

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine with parts thereof broken away. In this view a part of each magazine has been removed and also a Ipart of the mechanism that trans'- fers the envelopes to receiving position, and also a part of the associated mechanism that transfers the circular matter to and inserts it in the envelope. In this A figure there is also shown in plan a. horn and horizontally and longitudinally moving belts. The cooperating portions of these belts gradually approach each other in passing toward the delivery end of the machine. They are constructed so that they can convey an envelope when supplied with its contents from its receiving position, so that they can cooperate to convey the envelope as a whole ai@ here.' aus figure ieiwili be Bm-ved that the feeding mechanisms which include 1 l theseveral continuous belts are all operated' yby 1gearingfroma commonshaft. 1

g. 4 1s a ,vertical elevationof the lefthand side ofthe machine looking in the `di` jf. rectionofthe-arrowAA of F ig. 3. v M Fi`g.l5' isa perspective viewvshowing 1n part a verticaltransversesectio'n and in part a` longitudinal side view, with portions of the machine broken away, of the horn por tion of the apparatus or machine. This view illustrates the manner in which' the liap is 'bent or folded so that it is tucked into they envelope as the upper portion of' the env velope moves along and throughvthe horn.

A portion of an envelope passing Valong the horn is indicated by broken and dotted lines in this figure, while the rest of the envelope andits contents is shown by they full lines.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view 'taken' as on the plane indicated b the line 6-6of Figs. 3, 4 and 5. In said ig..6 there isindicated a rib or projection that engagesthe face or front ofthe envelope so as to place a bend in the envelope and contents in a manner to effect aseparation between the inner side of the back of the envelope and the contents within the envelope, thus'making an opening within which the flap readily enters as it is caused to dorso by the F igs.'y 8 `to 14 illustrate some of the different stages that each envelope and each piece or batch of circular matter passes through from thehtime each leaves its respectivestack until the circular matter is yinserted into the envelope and until' the envelope isdelivered from the position where it receivedthe circular matter.

"In Fig. -8 there is shown the position of the envelope and the yparts thereofwhen the :envelope is receiving the circularv matter. "Inl this figure it will be noted `that the envelope"- isnot `:inv engagement with the longi- Y ,1 tudin'allyy movingf'belts -which are arranged .onropposite' sides of the envelope.

'I*`ig.-9,l shows-theposition which they envelope.,occupiesyafter it has received its contents'. In this `fi` re it 'will be noted that.. 'the lowe'rjjvertically extending portion of theen'velopehas'been pushed trans- Vverselyfancl `to the right, by a pushing mechanism-,for mechanism provided for this y jpurpose;,-aggingtfza longitudinally moving belt p' anvdufV inkzthi jgniannertlre envelope is moved 'edgewise in vva longitudinal horizontal vdirectie vf e l s ,receiving position. lThe envelope "1s he againstthe. longitud inal belt 41 'bythefpushing-j'mecliani'sm funtil the menvelope is engaged at'thefopposit'e sides thereof bythe two belts 41' `and"42,which belts, it

turned to its normal will be observed from an inspectionof Fig.

3,gradually approach each other in passing toward the delivery lend of the machine- In Fig. 10 there-isshown an envelope as it is being Vtransferred longitudinally and "horizontally away from `receiving position by "the coaction of the two longitudinally traveling belts, and in this figure it will be ob- Vby a controlling dog or feeding pawl and as it is being moved forwardly and transversely to the right by the continuous belt of the envelope feeding means. Y

Fig. 12 shows the envelope somewhat farther removed from its previous position at, the bottom of the stack.

lFig. 13 shows the position of the envelo e parts as the envelope is about to leave tlie stack of envelopes or the magazine holding them. In this Fig. 13 it will be noted that the body of the envelope is traveling in a path which extends tothe right but is inclined Slightly downwardly, while the rear flap ortion of the envelope engages'the last en ve ope left in the stack or the bottom of the controlling dog or feeding pawl of the magazine and is thus retained against upward movement. At they same time the envelope is pressed upwardly along a line adjacent to the rear Hap edge and with this application of force there is made a curve in the bend in the body of the envelope. The flap of the envelope is free, however, to extend substantially horizontally, which it does. In this manner thebody of the en velope is caused to move away from the flap as the envelope is conveyed from the stack, alltof which is clearly indicated in Fig.13.

In Fig. 13 there is also indicated a guide p construction that causes thebody of the envelope to move along the path just referred to. 4

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the mechanism for conveying 4the envelopes transversely and to the right. In this view there will be seen the guide members which retain the envelopes in place on the traveling belt of the feeding mechanism and it will be noted that `these guide members are shaped so as to feeding means which may be referred to bas spaced end plates, that are .connected by longitudinally and vertically extending plates 3 and 4, which may be referred to respectively as a right-hand side plate and a left-hand side The envelopes are vpositioned in the 'maga' zine by a vertically and longitudinally extending stop 5 and by a vertically and transversely extending stop 6. The circular mat-y ter is positioned in the magazine by a vertically and longitudinally extending stop 7 and by a vertically and transversely extending stop 8.

The bottom of each magazine is defined, at least to a certain-extent by the transversely and longitudinally, and substantially horizontally, extending plates 9 vand 10. The vertically extending stop 5 is adjusted transversely of the machine by means of screw 11, the vertically extending stop 7 is adjusted transversely of the machine by means of screw 12, the vertically extending stop 6 is adjusted longitudinally of themachine by means of screw 13 and the vertically extending stop 8 is adjusted longitudinally of the machine by means of screw 14. means of the several screws and stops the envelopes and the circular matte-r can be Aproperly positioned in eachmagazine preparatory to being used in the machine.

At the lower forward portion of the magazine E-that is at the lower right-hand portion of the magazine E-there is a' oontrolling dog, or feedingppawl as it may be called, 15 which is automatically and periodically operated as will hereinafter appear. The function of thisdog or pawl is to release the envelope at the bottom of the stack whereby the released envelopes can be fed forwardly in a transverse direction into thel machine. A similar controlling dog or feeding pawl 16 is provided at the lower forward portion of the magazine C that is at the lower left-hand portion of the magazine (1 -whereby when released a piece or batch of circular matter at the bottom of the magazine will be fed forwardly in a transverse direction into the machine. The feeding means for the envelope is designated by 17 and the feeding means for the circular matter is designated by 18. The envelope 17, as it may be called, has

plates l and 2.

a large pulley 19 and a small pulley 20 over yand alongtheiface of which pulleys a continuous belt, as 21, travels, as the pulleys are continuously rotated.- v(,)ne of these pulleys, to witv pulley 20, is a drivenpulley. The circular matter-feeding means 18, as .it may be called, hasy a similar construction that includes a large pulley 22, a small pulley 23 and continuous belt 24. The pulley 20 of the envelope feeding means 17 has connected thereto, either directly or indirectly, a gear 25' which meshes with a gear 26 that is either directly or indirectly connected to the pulley 23 whereby the envelope feeding means and the circular matter feeding means will move in unison. Power for the machine is supplied in an suitable manner as by means of han operated gear H7 that is in mesh with the gear 26. The pulleys of these two sets of ceding means 17 and 18 are carried on suitable .shafting, as 19S, 20S, 22S and 23S, mounted in suitable bearings, as 19b and 22, provided either in oi' on the spaced end In Fig. l it will be observed that the bearings for the large pulleys are in the form of slidable blocks adjustably mounted on the spaced end plates by screws 27 and 28. By means of these screws the desired tension can be maintained on the endless belts, even though they become stretched in use. The pulley 19 has` thereupon a pin or stop 29 which can be employed to rform two functions. One of these functions being to cause an operation of a pressing or pushing mechanism that is employed in effecting a longitudinal movement of the en- By velope from the position where it receives 'the circular matter. The construction of 105 this mechanism and the function of the stop or pin 29 will be subsequently described in ore in detail. The other Vfunction of the pin or stop 29 is to move in engagement with'an arm 30 connected to a shaft 31 which i 10 is also in turn connected to the controlling dog or feeding pawl15. Shaft 31 is carried in suitable bearings, as 32, which are mounted on the frameof theV magazine E. The arm 3() is. held in its normal position 115 by a'tension' spring Sii-whereby the dog or pawl 15 normally occupies the position shown in Fig.'2. When the machine is operating, the pulleys of the envelope feeding means and of the circular matter feeding means operate in the direction indicated by the arrows. It will therefore be seen that each time the pulley 19 makes a revolution the stop associated therewith moves the arm 30 to the right away from its 125 -normal position in a manner to position the vldog or pawl 15 as shown in Fig. 11. This CJI and in fact `shortly'after the envelope ,has started to move from its previous position aty the bottom 'of the stack-the stop 29 `diseugages thel arin 3() and the spring restores the arm and its connectedv pawl 15 to normal position,` as shownv for example 1n Figs.` 2 and 12. The continuous belt 21 preferably has a rubber face or is of suitable `material to convey the envelope` re leased from the bottom of thestack f0rwardly and toward the right; or in other; words in a transverse 'direction' from the stackY yalong a'f'slightly declined" path. The envelopes are placed inthe magazine in such a manner that the fiap of the-envelope is uppermost and the flap portion of the envelope is farthest from the dog or pawl, that is, from the frontside of the magazine. It will here be 'noted-that thejenvelope krmay be referred to as having a front and a back, the front being thatA portion upon which-the address is written, whereas the back is the portion where the seams or overlaps of the envelope are located. The movable part which would ultimately constitute apart of the back of an envelope,

if sealed, is referred to asthe flap, the flap f portion is intended to designate the part adjacent tothe'ap andwith ywhich the ap is connectedVThe envelope may also be considered to havea bodyportion-which includes all butthe llap-and a liep;

In the drawings the Hap isdesignat-ed by F, the end of the apisdesignated by G,the {iap portion is designated by FP, the closed long edge of the envelope` is designated bv CE, the lbody portionis designated by'B,the front (or face) of the envelope is designated f lower forward portionia of the envelope on` by X and the back natedby Y; c

The envelope as conveyed from the stack "successively assumes the position shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13.' In the last mentioned figure'it'will be` observed that the body por tionBof the envelope extends forwardly" `and downwardly, that the back or flap edge f of the envelope engages the under sideA of the dog or pawl 15 and ,that the curved portion`21n of the conveying belt 21 extends slightly above the plane passing through the the one handfand the under side of the dog or pawl' on the `other hand and in this way eii'ects an upward pressure aga-inst the under side of the envelope along a line between thel forward edge a of theenvelope and the rear l. As the envelope travels along t-he slightly vdeclined ypath the `body of the envelope -is y flap edge f of the envelope. `iVith thepressure thus a-ppliedthe freeedge of the flap `of theenvelope will be away from thebody of the envelope, as shown in Fig. 13.

maintained in engagementwiththe top eon veying-surfacerof the belt by means of the guide construction shown in section in Fig.

yof the envelope is desig- 2. This guida construction preferably comprises two guide members 34 and 35. These members are shaped so as to he engaged by the under side of the flap as the envelope moves forwardly under the guide members whereby the flap Vwill be moved'upwardly and backwardly as the envelope travels' transversely in a. forward direction away `from the magazine. The movement of the envelope alpng the `declined patlr has herein beenwsometlmes referred to as moving substantially along a substantially j horizontal path because the inclination is notnecessarily very`great.";These guide members are.

pivotally` mounted at 3118L and 35a upon the spacedend plates 1 and 2 and are springpressed to normal position by means of springs 34 andv 35b,"respectively, which are secured invplace as by clips 36. `The por- `tionsof the guide members thusengaged by the flaps are designated by a'. Each guide member 34, 35 has an upwardly and rearwardly Vextending portion y/ forinsuring the u outer forward ends of each envelope passing into the space` between the guide members and the vendless belt whereby the envelope will besure to be conveyed by means of the belt below `the guide members and thus effeet the `openingof vthe envelope by the turning of the flap back, asabove described. The `forwardvlower edge portion of each guide member Briand 3 5 is bent forwardly and downwardly so that the envelope, as it continues its travel, will take a downward path. There extends into the Space between the belts of the two feeding means k17 and 18 `a guide member, or stripper as it may be called," 37. This stripper extends longitudinally of the machine and has an upwardly and rearwardly `extending lip 38 that ap-` Iproaches `the upper surface 211J of the endless A conveying b elt`21.` The function 4ot this stripper is to lift or remove the envelope from `itsbeltand in the continued movement of theenvelope about the periphery of the pulley 2()y the envelope passes through the space between the lipV 38 and the curved guide port-ion of the Stripper over which the lower forward depending edge of the guide members 34 and 35 on the other hand. There is, however. a sufiicient bitefor grip `of the endless belt on they portions of the envelope Which areat the rear ofthe lip`38 to insure conveying of the envelope until itl strikes a. `stop 39 that is provided inthe bottom of a "trough 40 that' holds the envelopein the po# 4flap F `oflthel envelope is bent backwardly and is held iny this position by the lower for- `envelope travels on the one hand and the ward edges of the guide members and 35.` The holding of the fla in this position causes the upright* back of the envelope to be'placed a slight distance from the uprighty 5. front X of the envelope and when the envelope is in this position it can receive the circular matter tol be inserted therein;

It will here be remarked that when the envelope is in this position, preparatory' to and during the time that it is receiving the circu- 1 lar matter, the longitudinally extendin belts 41 and 42 which continuously travel o noty engage the envelope and thereafter the envelope can'reman in said position until it receives the circular matter. At the proper ing the Vdogl or pawl 16 and causes a release ofa piece or bunch of circular matter that is to be inserted in the envelope. The 'desired circular matter is then conveyed forwardly and to the left, that is in a transverse direction away from the maga-zine, by

means of the endless belt 24. The circular matter is held in engagement with the endless belt by means of a spring-pressed guide member 46 which can be adjustably posi- 'tioned alonor a rod 47 The lower forward edge of this guide member is bent downwardly and inwardly towardvthe left in a manner to direct the circular matter into the open envelope which is in position to receive it. The. rod also carries a guide or positioning member 47"l that can be relied upon to control the longitudinal position of the circular matter as it is being conveyed forwardly in a transverse direction. The contnued feed of this circular matter causes said circular matter to bend and be inserted almost entirely, if not entirely, within the envelope.

It will be manifest from aninspection of Fig. 2 that the circular matter has asemewhat downward path while it is being moved forward and /transversely from' .the magazine, but this movement is sometimes referred to herein as a substantially horizontal 507movement because the downward slope is relatively small. The envelope with its contents is now ready to bey delivered from the machine and there is brought into operation the mechanism 48 which engages the 55 lower front face of the vertically and longitudinally extending enveloA and forcesthe lower portion of the enve ope transversely to ythe right into engagement with thebelt 41, as shown in Fig. 9. This mechanism may be termed a periodically-acting traction clutch. The belt 41 is an endless continu'- ously traveling belt, as will be manifest from an inspection of Fig. 3, and consequently the filled envelope will be conve ed longitudinally and horizontally from t e place where it received its contents. This pushing 'orv pressing mechanism 48 preferably has antifriction rollers 49,. These rollers are the parts which directl engage the envelope and they are carrie in a swinging arm 50 pivotally mounted at 51.` The arm 50 ma be considered asa lever arm since it is fu crumed at 51 and has an extension, as 52, that is provided with adepending end 53 connected to a series .of levers under the control of the stop or pin 29 that is on or connected to the pulley 19, f

The construction )ust referred to lcom- -prises a lever 54 pivotally mounted at 55 and held in normal position bythe tension of a spring 56. The lower free end 57 of the lever54 s connected by means of a rod 58- to the'depenclingA end 53 previously referredr to. A second lever 59 is pivotally mounted at 60. The lower free end of this -lever 59 is connected by a in 61 to the upper end of the lever of the lever 59 is arranged in the pathof movement of the pin or stop 29 whereby at the proper time the pushing mechanism 48 lwill come into play and thus perform itsy function. y

From what has preceded -it will 'be manifest that the pin or stop performs two functions; that of movingI the lever 62 associated with the pushing mechanism 48 and also of moving the lever or arm 30 that controls Ithe dog or pawl 15. Instead of using one pin to accomplish these. two functions it will be lmanifest that a plurality o'f pins could be employed, the only essential requirement being that they be located so as to perform the desired function in the proper timed relationship. Ordinarily the belt 21 serves as a gearing between the pulleys 19 and 20, and the belt 24 serves as a gearing between the pulleys 22 and 23 and is sufficient to maintain the proper timed relation of the several parts. If,l however, it were desired to have more positive gearing between the pulleys of the several sets -this could be accomplished asvby means of chain and sprocket construction between the pulleys or by any other suitable form of gearing.

From what has preceded it will also be observed that the envelope is first released, that it is fed in a forward direction with the flap uppermost and at the rear, that the flap is then turned upwardly and backwardly by suitable means as the envelope is moved forwardly in a slightly declinedpath, that the envelope is bent in its continued movement until the body portion of the envelope extends vertically and longitudinally with the flap thereof uppermost and bent backward behind the vertical, that at the proper time a piece or batch of circular matter is released 'he upper end 62 f from a magazine and moved forwardly and finally bent downward whereby it can be and is fed into the envelope, when positioned l ing beltsyto' convey the j enxj'elope, still1 in a.

vertically andlongitudinally extending posi- `tion,eiilgevvise `from theposition Where it received .its contents, ythatzis to say, from 4 theloading sta-tion.` "At the` properftimeanotherrenvelopeA is releasedgfi'omthe bottom of the stack'and the cycle offoperations ljust described can be repeated.;`

move the l,fla

dinally extending l slot as along and through which there is moved'in a longitu-y dinal` path the upper flap portion ofthe` envelopeVasthis portion of the flapmay be called.` i Thisslot may be consideredasbeing provided `in the Wall portionof the, horn. The shape of thehorn-is suchthat asan envelope, which has sides1 extending, longitudinally and vertically with the flapo the envelope uppermost, ispassed longitudinally along andthrough the horn the Hap lof. the

envelope will be caused by the hornto enter the body of the envelope 'inthe space `between the contents `.oithe envelope on the one hand and the back of the envelope on therotherhand. v f i This operation may be properly referred e to astucking the` flap into the envelope. y During thls operation the circularv matter Within the envelope will be forced downwardly `Within'the envelope iffthe contents is projecting above Ithe upper or fiapiedge of the envelope. The member carrying the ,horn has a longitudinally extendinggroove portion which engages that front of `the` envelope. y `The upper edge of the` back` of the envelope is engaged by the"vvall"portion or edge portion 63 ofthe horn. The lower portion ofthe back of thez envelope is controlled by one ofthe traveling belts and the position is such that the longitudinally extendingrib 65 cooperates with the 'longitudinally extending .Wall or edge portion 63 and the belt 41in a manne'rtoimparta,kink or bend in the envelope, in the portion*opposite 'thevv rib and in a manner. tending to force the back of the envelopefrom the contents Within the envelope, as shown in Fig,` 6, and 1t ,will `here benoted that at this time the upper end vof the contents is` held toward the frontof the envelope by the longitudinally describedfl the envelope yThe next function of` the `machine isto of `the envelope tothe final desiredpositlon relativeto the body of the` Llev 2o.-

iaass i,

extending edge vportion63a.'` This enables the` positioning of the envelope parts 1n such a manner that` the `flap can be" readily directed by thehorn into the space andin this manner ybeultimately tucked to final position Within the envelope.` y .l

I has previously been described how the envelope ism'oved fromv its contentslreceivf ing positionlby the pushing mechanisln 48 iorcingfthe envelopeandits contents into engagement with oneof,` the longitudinally ex-` tending belts,`to wit belt 4l.' l l y` n An inspection of Fig. il vvillmake itcleal that the pushing mechanism 48 does not engage ,the envelope throughout the entire longitudinal travel of the envelope..; -The envelope A soon leaves this," mechanism 481"b`11t before doing soit enters'the lbite formed `by the opposed endless travelingbelts 41 and 12,Wl1ich converge, as previously pointed out, beforewthey approach the'delivery or discharge end of the machine. At the delivery end `of the machine these belts aregnormally inengagement with each other, being carried onrollers 66 and 67 normally spring* pressed together, as is clear from an inspection.4 of Figs.` 3 and 7. A'stherollers are spring-pressed, belts rcan readily adapt themselves Ato the conditions of thework.` the chargingendoffthe machine, asthe magazine end of themachinemay be called, the rollers carrying the longitudinal extending belts are designated by 68 andf69. These rollers are geared together as by gears 70` and 71` and receive the power for driving by means `of shaft 7 2 and bevel-gear 73, the latter of which isin mesh with gear 74 that is connected to the shaft 20S carrying the pul- The member 37 may be carriedon a lon-` gitudinally extendingbar 75 and `to this bar the trough 40 previously described` can be adjustably secured in a `manner to facilitate vertical adjustment of the latter, if desired. The uppersurface (10 of the trough 40 is in`-r alinement with the upper surface of a guide member 76 along which the envelope travels as it is conveyed from the position in the machine Where it receives its contents longitudinally fromthe machine. yThis stop or guide `member 76 1s relied upon to'` oppose `any doivnward thrust whichisimparted to jablehousing'made of sheet metal which is shown in part in cross-section in Fig. 5. A

side `vievv of one of these housings is clearly i shown inFig. 4 andfrom this last-mentioned figure it will be manifest that the guide member 76 is adjustably secured in place in thelOWer portion of this houslng. where- "by the desired vertical `adjustment can be attained.

The words circular matter as used herein are to be broadly construed as meaning any type of mailing matter which is to be automatically fed toward and inserted into the envelope. The terms enclosure, enclosure magazine and enclosure feed belt are also used in the claims for convenience.

The improvements herein set forth are not limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described for they may be embodied in various forms and modin fications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new is:

1. A machine of the character described` comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and there downward to a loading station, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally from the loading station.

2. A machine of the character described, comprising envelopeand enclosure maga-A zines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means, comprising belts, for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in. timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and there downward to a loading station, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive. its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally from the loading station.

3. A machine of the character described,

comprising envelope and enclosure niagaJ zines at oppoJite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means for feeding the envelopes and closures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and there downward to a loading station, means over the inward course of the envelopes for opening their flaps, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally from the loading station.

4. A machine of the character described,`

comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at opposite sides, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in time-d relation inward to the center and there downward to a loading station, a bottomstop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, means for conveying tlie loaded envelopes longitudinally from the loading station, and means for disposing the Haps to which the loaded envelopes are thus conveyed.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at. opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and there downward to a loading station, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally from the loading station, and flap-inserting means to which the loaded envelopes are thus conveyed.

6. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and there downward to a loading station, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, a longitudinal guide in extension with said bottom stop, and means for conveying the loaded envelope from the station along said stop and guide.

7 A machineof the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward-to the center and there downward to a loading station, a bottom stop against which each V envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, a longitudinal guide in extension with said bottom stop, means for conveying the loaded envelopes from the station along said stop and guide, and mealis for disposing the flaps to which the loaded envelopes are. thus conveyed.

8. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope 4and enclosure magazines at opposite sides, means for feedingllo the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation inward to the' center and there downward to a loading station, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, means for restraining the fiaps of the envelopes while standing at said station, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes Y longitudinally from the loading station.

9. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks at inclinal tions inward to the center and there downward to ar loading station, ar bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelarticles in stacks, duplex feed means con-` stantly moving in one direction in its respective halves for` conveying the envelopes and enclosuresr inward to the center and there delivering them downward to a loading station, means' for delivering the bottom articles of the envelope and enclosurey stacks to said feed means periodically in timed relation, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to recelve its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally from the loading station. l

11. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, constantly traveling feed belts passing inward from the magazines to the center where they deliver downward to a loading station, means for delivering the bottom articles of the envelope and enclosure stacks to said feed belts periodically in timed relation, .devices over the belts cooperative therewith to conduct they articles and to open the flaps of the envelopes, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at the loading station and stands to receive its enclosure, and means for conveying i the loaded envelopes longitudinally from the station. v Y 12. XA machine of the character described, comprising envelo and enclosure magazines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles Ain stacks, means for feeding the articles from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and theredownward tov a loading station comprising belts 'passing over large rollers beneath the magazines and small rollers adjacent the center arranged so that the upper courses of the belts incline downwards, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at the loading station and stands to receive its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally from said station.

13. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and there downward to a loading station, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally from the loadingzstation comprising constantly moving unidirectional driving means and a riodically acting traction clutch cooperating therewith.

14. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope andv enclosure magazines at opposite sides adapted to'holdthe articles in stacks, means for feeding th envelopes and enclosures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and there downward to a yloading station, a bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally from the loading station comprising a constantly traveling belt and `a periodically actilpg traction clutch cooperating therewit c 15. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure magazines at opposite sides, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation inward to the center and there downward to a loading station, ka bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands to receive its enclosure, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally 'from the loading station. 4

16. A machine of the character described,

comprising. envelope and enclosure magaenvelope from the envelope magazine with its lower edgein advance against said stop,

and means for periodically and in timed relation feeding an enclosure from the enclosure magazine and inserting the same into the envelope while it'remains stationary against said stop.

17. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure magazines, a stationary stop at a fixed loading station, -means for periodically withdrawing an envelope from the envelope magazine and feeding the same with its bottom edge in advance and its flap uppermost against said stop, a flap-opening device which isencountered by the envelope flap in said movement and turns it back, and means for periodically and in timed relation feeding an enclosure from the enclosure magazine and inserting the same into the `envelope while it remains stationary against said stop.

18. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosurev magazines at opposite sides adapted to hold the articles in stacks, means for feeding the envelopes and enclosures in timed relation from the bottoms of the stacks inward to the center and there downward to a fixed loading station, and -a stationary bottom stop against which each envelope arrives at said station and stands toreceive its enclosure.

19. A machine of the character described, comprising envelope and enclosure maga'- zines at opposite sides, feed belts passing inward from beneath the magazines toward the center where the articles are delivered downward to a loading station, andalia opening device over the envelope feed Vbe t.

20. A' machine of t e character described,

'comprising envelope and enclosure magaclosure magazines, a stationarystop, means for periodically withdrawing an envelope from the envelope magazine and moving the same Ywith its bottom edge forwar against said stop, means for periodically in timed relation bringing an enclosure from 'the enclosure magazine and. inserting the same into the envelope while the latter remains stationary against the stop, and means for conveying the loaded envelopes longitudinally away from the loading position at said stop.

22. In a machine of the character described, the combination of envelope and enclosure magazines, a stationar stop and an extension guide in line therewlth, means for periodically withdrawing an envelope from the envelope magazine and moving the same with its bottom edge forward against said stop, means for periodically in timed relation bringing an enclosure from the enclosure magazine and inserting the same into the envelope while against the stop, and means for conveying away the loaded envelopes longitudinally along said stop andl guide.

24. In a machine of the character described, the combination of envelope and enclosure magazines, a stationary-stop and an extension gui-de in line therewith, means for periodically withdrawing an envelope from the envelope magazine and moving the same with its bottom edge forward against said stop, means for periodically in timed relation bringing an enclosure from `the enclosure magazine and inserting the same into the envelope while against the stop, means for conveying away the loaded envelopes longitudinali?I along said stop and guide, and means for isposing the iiaps of the loaded envelopes while their lower edges bear a ainst said guide.

- 25. n a machine ofthe l character de-` scribed, the combination of envelope and en- `closure magazines, two feed belts extendin from opposite sides into proximity to eac other to convey and deliver the envelopes and enclosures to a loading station between and below them, ay {lap-opening device over the enve'l e feed belt, and a plate over the enclosure eed belt.

scribed, the combination of envelope and enclosure magazines, two feed belts extending from opposite sides into proximityto each other to convey and deliver the envelopes and enclosures to a'loading station between and below them, a flap-opening device over the envelope feed belt, and a plate over the enclosure .belt terminating in a curved lip aviar the down-going delivery bend of the 27. An apparatus for use in positioning an envelope ap which apparatus comprises a longitudinally extending guide "member and a longitudinally extending tapering horn having a longitudinally extending slot in the wall portion thereof, which horn is so arranged relatively to the guide member and is so shaped that by moving an envelope 26. `In a machine of the character de' along the guide member with the flap portion of the 'envelope extending into the horn the flap of the envelope will be tucked into 4the envelope.

28. An apparatus for use in positioning .an envelope fiap which apparatus comprises a longitudinally extending guide member, an associated longitudinally extending tapering horn having a longitudinally extending slot in the wall portion thereof, and a longitudinally extending rib or member arranged so as to engage the front of the envelope and bend it toward the back whereby the front and back will be separatedin a manner to facilitate the tucking of the ap into the envelope by the horn.

29. In combination a longitudinally ex` tending guide member, a longitudinally extending horn connected thereto and arranged thereover, a longitudinally extending slotin the lower wall ortion ofthe horn,

and a longitudinally extending rib or me`mflap of the envelope will be tucked into the envelopeas the envelope entering the horn is moved along the guide: member. `30. In combination a longitudinali r ex'-, -I gytending guide member, a longitudinal y extending horn connected thereto and arran ed 'thereover, `a slot in vthe lower-wall portion ofthe horn to permit the entrance ofthe ilap lportion of an envelope as the envelope lis moved logitudinally along the ber, and a longitudinally exten ing rib` or memberlocated between the ide member and an edge of the horn ,andr`r1 arranged so 'as to engage and slightly bend the' front of the envelope, the construction ofthe horn being such that the flap of the envelope will be tucked into the envelo en as the en'- velope is moved through the orn. y

31. Anapparatus of the class described comprising in combination a storage magazine for envelopes, another storage magazine for circular matter,van endless feeding belt and pulleys therefor for conveying an en-l velope from its storager ma azine at one side of the machine toward t e center of "the machine with the closed long edge of the envelope foremost and with the back of the envelope uppermost, means for causing an opening of the flap of the envelope as thus conveyed, `means for deflectin the 'closed long edge ofy they envelope ownwardly, means for arresting the downward movement of the envelope when in a position where the circular matter can be inserted therein, there being means for holding back the flap` which is at the top of the envelo e during the time the `circular matterl is ing inserted in the envelope, means for-conveying the circular matter from it's a gradually tapering horn into which the upper or flap portion of the envelope extends, the construction of the horn being such that during said movement the `flap' of the envelope willbe' tucked into the envelope betweenthe contents thereof and the back of the envelope.

32. An apparatus of the class described `the flap of the envelope as conveyed, means for deiiecting the vforward ends ofthe envelope downwardly, means for arresting the downward movement lof the envelope when in a` position where the circular matter can be insertedthereim a circular matterfeeding pawl, mechanism for conveying. the circular ide memstorage magazine and for inserting said comprising in combination a storage maga- 15,385 l n l.

matter when released by saidcrcularmatter `feeding pawl from the other side of the machine and 'for insertin the circular matv ter into the envelope, an `means for moving the envelope with the contents therein lon" 1gitudinally along and through af tapering orn into which the upper 'portion of the envelope extends, the construction of the horn being such that the flap of the lenvelope will be tucked into the envelopebetween the contents thereof and the inner side of the back of the envelope.

33; An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination a storageA magazine for envelopes and in which the envelopes are placed'withthe fiaps of the envelope uppermost and at the rear side of the magazine, a feed catch or pawl at the forward lower edge of the magazine, feeding means comprisin a continuous belt that travels over a pul ey arran ed with the axis of the pulley below the orward edge of the magazine, means associated with the feedin means and said pawl or catch for periodically releasing an envelope at the bottom of the stackl whereby it. can befed forwardly by frictional ren agement .with the continuous belt of. the eedingmeans, the construction of said feeding means bein such that that.' portion of the belt whic fits the envelope slopes forwardly and slightlydownwardly, and an envelope uidingor engaging member arranged a ve thebelt so as to hold the body of the envelope againstthe belt and the `rear edge of which guiding or engaging member is shaped so as to engage t the flap in a manner to effect a turning back of the iiap` as the envelope moves forward.

34. An apparatus of the class 'described comprising in combination companion trans versely extending endless belts, the upper operative surface `of one of which belts extends transversely and' downwardly and feeds an envelope forwardly and in one di, rection as to the right, the upper operative surface of the other of ,which belts extends transversely and downwardly and feeds cir-- cular-matter forwardly-'and in `an opposite direction as to the left, a guiding 'or engaging member above the envelope feeding belt and arranged to deflect the forward closed edge of an envelope downwardly as the belt conveyin the envelope turnsabout'its inner guide pu ey, a stop ar- 120 ranged below the space between the adjacent portion of thel companion belts, the position of the guide member overthe belt and of thetstop being such that thestop arrests the downwardy movement of the`\ envelope in a v position where the circular matter' can be inserted into the` envelope but so .that the guide member over the belt will hold the end of the Hap backward, and a guide member' over the belt for con- 130 e under side of n `between the veying the circular matter which 'de member is shaped so that it deilects t e forward end ofV the circular matter downwardly into the envelope when the envelopel has been positioned to receive it.

35. An apparatus of the cla described comprisingA in combination transversely extending belts, the upper surface of one of which belts. extends inwardly and downwardly and feeds an envelope forwardly and in one direction as to the right and the vupper surface of which companion belts extends inwardly and downwardly and feeds circular matter forwardly and in an opposite direction as to the left, a'guiding member arranged above the envelope eeding belt and arranged to deflect the forward closed edge of an envelope downwardly as the belt conveying the envelope turns about its inner pulley a stop arranged in the space adjacent' portion of the-companion belts so as to limit the downward travel-of the envelope, the positionl of the such that the stop arrests the downwa `movement of the envelope in a position where the circular matter can be insertfleets t e forward end of the circular matter downwardly into the envelope after the envelopel has been thus positioned, said ma- Y chine also having a guide member which enters the space between said endless belts and the upper `end of which guide member extends upwardly and backwardl in a manner to strip the forward edge o the envelope from its feeding belt prior to the body of the envelope beingl fed vertically down# wardly.

l 36. An apparatus of the olas described com rising in combination transversely exten ing belts arranged so that the upper surface of one belt extends inwardly andV .downwardly and feeds an envelope forwardly and in one direction as to the right and the upper surface ofthe companion belt extends inwardly and downwardly and feeds circular matter forwardly and in another di rection as to the left, a guiding member above the envelope feedin belt and arranged toL deflect t-he forwa closed edge of an envelope downwardly as the belt conveyin the envelope turns about one of its guide pleys, a stop arranged in the Space between the' adjacent portion of the companion belts so as to limit the downward travel of the envelope, the position of the guide member over the envelope feeding belt and of the, stop being such vthat the stop arrests the downward `,movement of the envelope in a member over the belt and of the stop i rear free end of the flap backward,.a guide member over the belt for conveying the circular matter which ide member 1s shaped so that it deflects t e forward end of the circular matter downwardly into the envelope after the envelope has been thus positioned, said machine also having a guide member which enters the space between said endless belts, the upper end of which guide members extends upwardly and backwardly in a manner to strip the forward edge of the envelopefrom its feeding belt prior to the body of the envelope being r' fed vertically downwardly, and means for feeding the envelope from thev position where it receives its contents.

- A machine of the class described oomprismg in combination a pair of adjacent longitudinally extending pulleys over each of which-there moves a continuous belt, an envelope-feeding belt which travels over one of said pulleys, a circular matter'feeding belt which travels over the other of said pulleys, a guide member'or envelope releasing member which extends into the space between said belts and which is bent into engagement with the envelope feeding belt so as to insure a moving of the envelope from the belt as the envelope is moved along by the belt, an envelope arranged to engage and de ect the envelope as it moves along the belt and over said first mentioned guide member or releasing me-mber, a stop lfor limitin the movement of the envelope when it reac es a certain position between said belts, a 'circular matter guiding member for deflecting the circular, matter into the envelope when the envelope is in a position to recelve it and as the circular matter is fed toward and into the envelope, and means for feedin the envelope and its contents longitudinal ly in a horizontal direc# tion;

38. A machine ofthe class described comprising in combination a pair of adjacent longitudinally extending. pulleys over which there moves continuous belts, a continuous envelope feeding belt which travels over one of said pulleys, a continuous circular matter feeding belt which travelsover the other of said pulleys, a guide member or releasing member which extends into the space between said belts and which is 'bent into engagement with the envelope feeding belt so as Vto insure a lifting of the envelope from the belt as it moves along with the belt, an envelope guiding member arranged to engage and deflect the envelope as it moves' along the belt and over said guide or releasing member, a stop for limiting the movement of the envelope when it reaches a ceriding member 'Y into the envelope, and means circular matter into the envelope when the envelope is in a4 position to receive'it' and A asthe circular matter is 4fed toward and for feeding the envelope and` its contents longitudinally in a horizontal direction with the contents in the envelope, said longitudinal` 'feeding means, said envelope feeding means, said circular matter feeding means and"I said means for moving the envelope with the cir- 'cular matter therein lbeing operated from a common source of power `and "in timed relationship with respect to each other.

39.` A machine of the class described com-Y prising' in combination anenvelope feeding pawl, a continuous envelope feedingbelt, a circular matter feeding pawl, a continuous circular matter feeding belt, an envelope `releasing memberwhich extends into the space between said beltsv and which is benty into engagement with the envelope feeding belt `so as to insure a. moving ofthe envelope from the belt as the envelope is `moved bythe belt, an envelope guiding member arranged toengage and deflect the envelope as it is moved by the belt over the envelope releasing member, a stop for limiting the movement of the envelope when it reaches -a certain position between: said belts, a circularmatter guiding member for ydeiecting the circular matter into the envelope when the envelope is in a position to receive it and as the circular matter isfed toward andinto the envelope, and means for feeding the envelope and its contents longitudinally, said envelope feeding pawls, said envelopefeeding means, said circular matter rfeeding paWls, said .circular matter feeding. means and said means for moving-the envelope withthe circular matter therein 1ongitudinally being operated from 'a common source of power and in timedrelationship With respect to each other.

40. An apparatus of. the class described comprising in-eombination means for bring- 1 lng an envelope to a positlon whereclrcular matter can be inserted therein, means for inserting the circular matter within the envelope, and'means for moving the envelope in a longitudinal direction through ahorn that engages the flap of theenvelope-and whichis arranged so as to `tuck the flap of the envelope betweenthe inner side of 'the circular matter Avvithinthe envelope. i i.

' 41; A machine ofthe character described,

comprising envelope and` enclosure magazines, a stationary stop at a fixed loading station, means for feeding an envelope from the `envelope `magazine `with its lower' edge in advance against saidstop, and means-for feeding `its way an enclosure from the enclosure magazine and mserting thesame into the I meets l envelope while it remains stationary' against said sto 42. Tlie combination with en envelope" magazine, of means Vfor feeding theV envelopes successively edgewise from the 'deopener in the aforesaid direction.

-livery end of said magazine, the edgewise 43. A machine :of the character described, v

comprising envelope and. enclosure ma azines, a statlonary stop at a `fixed loadmg station, means for feeding an envelopefrom the envelope magazine with its lower edge in advance against saidstop, a flap-opener located adjacent the path of the envelope on to thestop adapted to enter beneath the fla of the envelope and move the flap from c osed to open position as the envelope 1s moved edgewise past the flap-opener in a direction transverse to Athe vflap and toward thebottom of the envelope, vand means for. feeding an enclosure from the enclosure magazine and inserting the same into the envelope while it remains stationary against said stop. i l i 44. machine of the character described, comprlsingv envelope and enclosure magazines, a stationary stop at a-xed loadlng station, means for feeding an envelope from the envelope magazine with its lower'edge in advance against said stop, means `for feeding an enclosurel from the enclosure magazine and'inserting the same into the envelope While it remains. stationary against said stop, and means for conveying each envelope when loadedaway from the loading station in an edgewise and endwise direction.

45. A machine of the character described, comprising' envelope jand 'enclosure magazines, a stationary stop at a xed loading station, means for feeding an envelope from the envelopemagazine withits lower edge in advance against said stop, located adjacent the path of the envelope on lits way to the stop adapted to enter beneaththe fla 'of the envelope and move the flapifrom c osed to open position as the envelope is moved edgewise past the flapopenerin a direction' transverse to the flap and" toward the bottom of 'the envelope, meansfor feeding an` enclosure from the en` closure magazine and inserting the same into the envelope while it remains `stationary against said stop, and means for conveying each`envelo` when loaded away from the loading statlon i direction.

FLORENCE MCARTHY.

a flap-opener in an edgewise and'endwise 

